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Tomc
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« on: March 11, 2010, 06:49:44 PM » |
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Hi All, hope someone can help with this question.
I have been wfp for a while and all going well. Been using Ionic pro 5 system, 1000 litre tank and mix of Ionic and Brodex poles and brushes, the longest pole in use up to now is around 35ft. I now need to get a longer pole for new contract {apartment block}, either 55 or 60ft. What I am unsure of is how to rinse properly at that height? This block hasn't been done for 18 months or so. Do you advise having extra jets above the brush head because without having tried, I reckon it would be daft to try and take the brush away from the window and rinse as you would a two or three storey window {wouldn't like to catch it if the wind took hold}.
I have been using this site for a while without posting until now, and thanks to all the regulars. Lots of good, friendly advice on here.
Cheers.
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stevo
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« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2010, 06:57:35 PM » |
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Hi Tom and welcome,
its almost impossable to rinse of the glass at such hight, the bend in the pole is un controlable, plus the fulcrum(balence from u holding the bottom to the brush at the top of the pole) is all out
use loads of water and use and a side to side on the glass rinsing motion and you should be fine
take note thou jumpin from a 35 footer to a to a 65' takes some doing, there is a huge differance, most 65 foot poles ake 2 men to erect unless ur goona be using the new Ionic 65' 6foot sections
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Clear View Professional Window Cleaners
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Mr H
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« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2010, 07:23:49 PM » |
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If your going to those heights then definatly get a Gardiner SL2 and NOT an Ionics pole as the Ionic sections are still far too long to erect easily. The SL2 can be erected and used by just 1 person as each modular section is just 5ft 3" long. Just to let you know my wife is 5ft 1" tall and of slight build and she can use the SL2 at 60ft. The other advantage of the SL2 is that you are only ever lifting the weight of the length of pole you need to use unlike a telescopic pole where you are always lifting the full weight of the pole even at lower levels.
Work up to those heights gradually and practice on a few windows to make sure your happy before moving heigher. As Stevo said use the rinse on method by turning the pole so that one side of the brush head is raised away from the window while the other side keeps in contact with the glass for stability and control.
No need for extra jets and best using jets in the brush rather than over the brush to prevent getting the really dirty tops of the frames wet and so stops them dripping on to your clean windows.
Regards
Mr H
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aquatech
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« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2010, 07:58:19 PM » |
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Hi mate and welcome to the forum.
Ionics are just about to reveal their new range of poles to replace the Ergolite and I believe they are called the swift pole, apparently their new 60 foot pole is supposed to be something else, besides being lighter than ever apparently when closed it will also fit into a SWB van which is something they havent managed before so worth having a word with them.
they are to launch them at the cleaning show next week.
I have a 60 foot ergolite from Ionics and although when fully opened I can still rinse the top windows I have to say its not easy and I think I only manage it because of my height and weight 6ft6 18 stone 9 but as I said its not easy.
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Tomc
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« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2010, 08:53:49 PM » |
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Thanks guys, appreciate the speedy feedback too. I would love to buy one of the latest top of the range jobs that we will all no doubt see next week, but funds are tight and this is the only job I need the pole for just now. Would you bite the bullet and get the right tool for the job or go second hand/used and save up? If I was sure of getting other similar jobs it would be a no brainer.
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frankybadboy
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« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2010, 09:45:44 PM » |
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the gardiner pole will probaly be half the price of the ionics pole,so take a look at the prices
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Tomc
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« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2010, 10:36:34 PM » |
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At 6 4 and 16 stone, I feel a bit of a lightweight on here  |
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stevo
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« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2010, 10:54:42 PM » |
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you a lightweight im 5'11 11stone 6lb
if u only have the 1 job why not try and see if you can hire a 60' of another local company for the day, there is an ionics dealer bout 15miles from us so we used to hire the 65' they have for 20 quid a day till we bought our 65' off mr H
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aquatech
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« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2010, 11:19:32 PM » |
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18'9' , i thought you would be a bang on 18 stone now  hi Kempy mate. I wont find out until monday morning mate but fingers crossed otherwise those 06.30 - 07.30 brisk walks have been a waste of time |
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kempy
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« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2010, 11:33:30 PM » |
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The Black hands on the slx is the worst part of my job , today i used my unger gloves when doing pole work and then take them off to trad the bottoms .Not much hassle but when its warm enough for no gloves id prefere to not wear them due to speed .
But , I suppose it only takes a sec to remove them .
Thats why i fancy the "glyder " especially for summmer use , the slx is fantastic apart from that
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aquatech
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« Reply #12 on: March 11, 2010, 11:59:13 PM » |
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a 30 foot glyder is due out very soon mate
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zeusweiler
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« Reply #14 on: March 14, 2010, 11:07:40 PM » |
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tips at using a pole at height here goes-
clothing-
hi vis always a must with high work and gloves to give you more grip on the pole.
saftey-
cones and signage out as usual if working on road use your van and a row of cones to sheild you from traffic. better to work in pares so you have extra eyes and early warnings for you and to advise the public.
surroundings-
always be aware of your surroundings especially power lines with carbon, people walking around you, cars parking behind you anything that could make you trip like the pole hose. its not the first time i've seen a 35ft extended pole lifted from the ground in a hurry only to see it hit a washing line. just take time to think it over and have a good look around remember the public will just walk right into you or close enough to clip the pole as you are working so be careful
gettin the pole up there-
make sure you extend the pole in a place that a car wont run over it or if an sl2 where someone wont stand on it. a few options here i sometimes am guilty of extending pole and using force to just lift not good idea. get someone to assist you if working in pairs by stepping on the pole hose near to the butt cap and using there instep of there foot as a stop to walk the pole up. if on your own use a kerb or even a car tire if no ones about but make sure its near to where you are working. if all else fails extend the thing up the wall and remember to turn it away from the brush so that the angle adapter is against the wall. when lifting the pole t the glass ensure it is the brush that comes in contact with the glass and not the angle or side of brush or you will break an expensive window. ouch if working on your own or if space is limited etend most of the pole out and lift using the method above dont let that brush touch the wall and extend the rest up the wall. not the sl2 modular though it needs to be extended first and walked up or it's that light you could prob just lift but look around.
leaving the pole-
if you ever need to leave the pole extended for a few seconds not advisable! to sort out hosing or plug the fooking thing back in etc turn brush head away from wall angle against and into a inward facing corner of the building where it is sheilded better to have it slide than fall you can normally dig it in or use a brick or summin to make sure it dont slide. for a longer period of time better to take the pole down but dont leave your shiney new sl2 along the middle of the pavement where someone will normally stand on it tuck it in but look for doors, or put it away grass areas are normally good.
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zeusweiler
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« Reply #15 on: March 14, 2010, 11:10:55 PM » |
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using the pole-
now its up there what to do. make sure you have enough slack on the hose especially when moving at height the bottom will pull away from you and game over. make sure the angles right dont over stretch or stand too close these are things that make the pole unstable. espesially in real windy conditions that you wouldn't prob be using the sl2 at 60ft in anyway. take the strain out and move your feet not your shoulders back and forth motion you will last longer. take breaks do a few and rest pole while still holding, use this time to have a look around. small movements on the glass dont hurry and risk it at 60ft. although you can rinse totally off at 60 with a sl2 i wouldn't advise it rinse on but if you simply have to here goes-
to get a good finish at height. clean glass as usual, start rinsing at top left hand corner and lift left side jet off glass while brush stays in touch with glass on right hand side, then rinse from top to bottom of window. move brush over to right a bit at bottom of window slowly, and back to top repeat till glass is fully rinsed this means the glass is rinsed off with the brush never being in contact with the part of the window you have just rinsed however you have the reassurance that the pole is safely against the glass and you are in control of the pole. take your time dont lift the side of the brush you are rinsing with to far just an inch or so away from the glass (very close) if you lift to far this pole can spin.
moving the pole-
for long distances take it down its safer, for short distances - unplug pole hose roll tidy hold between thumb forefinger and pole, keep the pole as upright as possible, few steps mostly looking up to maintain balance, butt cap on ground pole against knee or thigh and rest look around and move on you will get quicker and more confident in time the more extreme high work you encounter. drop a few sections to begin with until the confidence comes. never with a 40 gf take it down.
taking the pole down-
telescopic is fairly straight forward however if you have the odd high window turn the brush away from wall and lower against it on the angle adapter.
sl2 modular you can take the sections off one at a time using the same principle its better for the pole than lifting right off and down and safer too. but keep the sections tucked inn away from people.
you will prob know alot of this hope it helps
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Electric
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« Reply #16 on: March 15, 2010, 08:26:47 PM » |
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Gee Zeus wot a fantastic reply, gr8 help for many  took you some time to post that. Another post of the month award |
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zeusweiler
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« Reply #17 on: March 15, 2010, 08:40:45 PM » |
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thanks for the kind words once again jeff i think this subject would make a good sticky on the board
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frankybadboy
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« Reply #18 on: March 15, 2010, 08:52:56 PM » |
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take me hat of to you for that reply.
best i seen.
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zeusweiler
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« Reply #19 on: March 15, 2010, 09:24:48 PM » |
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Thanks franky
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Tomc
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« Reply #20 on: March 20, 2010, 06:45:04 PM » |
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Many thanks for all the replies. Zeus, reads like great advice tvm for taking the time.
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Window Cleaning Equipment Forum
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